French expat 'horrified' on Gurgaon’s garbage problem, post goes viral: 'Never seen so much filth'

Many social media users, however, backed Mathilde remarks.

A French expatriate living in Gurugram has stirred an intense debate on India’s civic hygiene after she publicly expressed her horror over the unclean state of the city. Responding to a video on social media that showed garbage strewn across a road near a school, the woman, identified as Mathilde, called the northern Indian city “one of the filthiest” places she had ever encountered.

“As a French expat living in #Gurgaon, I am horrified by the actual state of the city. I have never seen so much filth, trash, and broken roads in any other country I have visited,” she wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Africa, Asia, and South America are 100 times cleaner. It is sad for Indians. And for India.”

As a french expact living in #gurgaon , i am horrified by the actual state of the city . I have never seen so much filth, trashes, and broken roads in any other country I have visited. Africa, Asia, south-America are 100 times cleaner. It is sad for indians. And for india. https://t.co/pTbeEP1lcX

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— mathilde R. (@MathildeRa77404) July 4, 2025

Her comments, posted in reply to a widely circulated video showing piles of uncollected waste, overflowing sewage, and cows standing amidst garbage in Sector 44 of the city, quickly gained traction online.

The social media exchange reignited public frustration over Gurugram’s deteriorating civic conditions, which have long been the subject of local grievances. The timing of the backlash was also notable, coming days after the Haryana government announced discussions about establishing a Disneyland-style amusement park in the city’s vicinity.

Former Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor was among those who criticised the state of civic affairs. Posting photos of rubbish-strewn roads, Kapoor questioned the priorities of the local authorities. “How can a Disneyland be planned here when even basic waste management is beyond the grasp of the civic administration?” he wrote on X, joining the chorus of discontent.

Mathilde’s critique did not go unchallenged. One user argued that maintaining cleanliness should not be solely the responsibility of the government. In response, she acknowledged India’s cultural richness and potential but emphasised that action was essential. “It could be so much better. India has so many amazing people and culture. It is such a pity. I hope it will improve in the future. It could be a wonderful place to live in. But the wastes has to be taking care of,” she added.

Many social media users, however, backed her remarks. “It’s a valid criticism and Indians don’t deserve this. People and government both should demand and fulfil their duties in building clean neighbourhoods,” one user wrote. Another added: “Mathilde, even we are horrified. As residents of Gurgaon, we go to the municipal offices, wait there for hours to meet officials, they assure us the work will get done, but NOTHING happens.”

Highlighting the disconnect between Gurugram’s status as a corporate and real estate hub and its basic infrastructure woes, a third user commented: “And Gurgaon is one of the most expensive cities in the country. Wait till you visit 2nd and 3rd tier cities—Gurugram will feel like heaven from that standpoint.”

Despite being a satellite city of India’s capital and a symbol of its IT and financial sector growth, Gurugram has struggled with issues ranging from waste disposal and poor drainage to encroachments and deteriorating road conditions.